A fresh shipment of British CVR(T) tracked armoured vehicles has started arriving in Ukraine to form a battalion-level unit. The deliveries follow recent talks between Ukraine and Latvia, and Kyiv expects gradual arrivals to strengthen mobility and medical evacuation capacity.
Latvia is handing over to Ukraine another batch of CVR(T) armoured vehicles to equip a battalion-level unit. The transfer of the equipment has already begun, according to official statements from the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
Details of the arrangements became known during a meeting between Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Mykhailo Fedorov and Latvia’s Minister of Defence Andris Spruds. Kyiv now expects a gradual influx of new equipment into the forces.
CVR(T) – Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) – is a series of light British armoured vehicles that are already in use in various countries around the world.
The main advantage of these vehicles is their exceptional maneuverability. It is provided by a light aluminium hull and wide tracks that reduce ground pressure and help prevent getting stuck in sand or mud.
In the CVR(T) family, seven main variants are distinguished, whose names begin with the letter ‘S’: FV101 Scorpion, FV107 Scimitar, FV103 Spartan, FV105 Sultan, FV104 Samaritan, FV106 Samson, and FV102 Striker. Despite their different purposes, they are based on a common platform with standardized components that simplify maintenance and crew training. In the Ukrainian Armed Forces, FV103 Spartan, FV104 Samaritan, and FV107 Scimitar Mk2 are in service.
Specifications of individual CVR(T) variants
FV103 Spartan – an armoured personnel carrier weighing about 8,170 kg (up to 10,600 kg in versions with additional armour). The maximum speed in combat conditions typically reaches 75 km/h, range is approximately 510 km, and it can handle inclines up to 60°. It can carry up to seven people aboard, with armament consisting of a 7.62 mm machine gun.
FV107 Scimitar Mk2 – a deep modernization of the original Scimitar. The base platform is Spartan, but with a wider and stronger chassis, which has increased the mass to about 12,250 kg. Protection is enhanced: on top of the aluminium hull ceramic armour has been added, along with mine-protected seats. Armament remains the same – a 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon with a co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun. Electronics and communications systems are fully updated. Maximum speed is about 80 km/h, range up to 500 km.
FV104 Samaritan – a medical armour vehicle from the CVR(T) family, unarmed, designed for evacuating wounded directly from the battlefield. Inside it has been converted for medical needs: Samaritan can carry up to 4 lying wounded or 5–6 seated patients. The crew usually consists of two people (driver and medic).
The Samaritan’s running gear is fully compatible with the other CVR(T) family models. Mass about 8,700 kg, maximum speed up to 72 km/h, range about 480–500 km. Its low silhouette and tracked drive enable the Samaritan to operate effectively off-road, in wet ground and snow cover, where conventional wheeled vehicles may get stuck.
The replenishment of the CVR(T) fleet strengthens the capabilities of Ukraine’s defense forces for rapid mobilization and maneuvering in challenging terrain, with an emphasis on evacuation and reconnaissance on the battlefield.